About International Sámi Film Institute

The International Sámi Film Institute is dedicated to providing Sámi people with the skills and economic opportunities in developing, producing, and distributing Sámi films in the Sámi languages.

ABout ISFI

The International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) is building a sustainable & innovative Sámi film industry that is globally visible and attractive.

The institute is dedicated to capacity building, developing, and supporting Sámi filmmakers by organizing workshops, seeking international funding, and opening pathways for Sámi filmmakers to major international platforms. International Sámi Film Institute offers funding in various categories.

By telling our stories, we create our future.

Established in 2009, the International Sámi Film Institute is jointly owned by the Sámi Parliament, Norway, and Guovdageaidnu Municipality.

ISFI VALUES

Our work is based on respect and equality for all people and a close connection to nature. In the Sámi language we have the word VERDDE, which means friend/colleague/family friend. We value all our verddet and collaborations locally and globally. As Sámi people living in four countries borderless thinking is in our backbones. We are pro-active and brave, we have a positive attitude and we are forward-thinking.

  1. Brave, positive and forward thinking

    Invest in all film productions that enhance the Indigenous peoples cultures and languages.

  2. Pro-active

    Encourage co-production by building a sustainable film industry in the Arctic with special emphasis on Indigenous peoples cultures.

  3. Borderless thinking

    Build competence in the Arctic film region by strengthening collaboration between film institutions, companies, producers, and universities.

  4. Respect

    Respect and connection to nature and all living.

  5. Collaboration

    We vallue all collaboration & network locally and globally.

  6. Seeking guidance

    We seek guidance from our traditional knowledge.

ISFI VISION AND MISSION

Vision

International Sámi Film Institute is an expert on Sámi storytelling, and we are building a sustainable & innovative Sámi film industry that is globally visible and attractive.

Mission

Through our own stories and films, we fight for the survival of Sámi culture, values, and languages. By telling our stories, we create our future.

ÁRRAN

Árran is the Northern Sámi word to describe the hearth of a lávvu, around which Sámi storytelling has taken place since time immemorial. Árran symbolizes the life force of the Sámi people, a place where the relationality between human, and non-human beings is interwoven. ÁRRÁN embodies the Sámi perspectives on circular time, where past, present and future meet in a continual flow of time, bodies and ideas.

ISFI is the ÁRRAN fireplace where Sámi stories catch fire, and where our storytellers gather to connect with the past and create the future.

OUR GOALS

The Sámi people have a rich offer of quality films and digital stories in our own languages.

  • More Sámi content in all genres; feature films, drama series, animations and games for children and youth.
  • Sámi children and youth productions in Sámi languages are a major priority.
  • Sámi films are available and attractive on all platforms to all publics in Sápmi and internationally.
  • Sámi people and culture have global value and we enrich diversity.

FUN FACTS ABOUT ISFI

The Kautokeino Rebellion

Some props and buildings from Nils Gaup’s film The Kautokeino Rebellion (2008) have been gathered outside ISFI’s premises at Buletjávri in Guovdageaidnu.

Seven Sámi Stories

In 2014, ISFI launched Seven Sámi Stories, which produced seven short films as a skill-building initiative and a springboard for feature film development. In 2024, many of the directors from these short films have either completed feature films or are currently working on new Sámi feature films.

Verddet

Did you know ISFI has worked with Disney on Frozen II, had a film screening event in 2024 at the Oscar Academy Museum, and offers skill-developing programs in collaboration with Netflix?

International Indigenous Film Conference

The journey began in 2011, continued in 2018, and was back in 2023 for round three! We gather filmmakers from around the globe to Sápmi and Guovdageaidnu for a few days packed with inspiration, creativity, and meaningful connections.

IN 2023..

.. we approved 80 applications!

We supported scripts, development, production, distribution, and scholarships to travel and skill development.

.. 19 Sámi films and TV series received ISFI production grants! 

In My Hand, Biru Unjárga, Heajastallan, Gosa jávkkai luossa and many many more.

.. 11 writers received Script Grants! 

See the full list in our annual report.

CONTACT

International Sámi Film Institute

Buletjávri
N-9520 Guovdageaidnu
Norway

Org. nr

909819498759

Ask us questions